Lane Cove Junior Rugby Union (LCJRU) is an offshoot of the Lane Cove Rugby Union senior side and was founded in 1951. LCJRU is one of the 8 Village Clubs that comprise the Gordon District and offers boys and girls the opportunity to play rugby from U5 through to U16.
The club draws its players from a number of schools in the locality including St Michael’s, Lane Cove Public, Lane Cove West, St Ignatius College (Senior and Junior school) and Greenwich Public.
LCJRU plays all of its home games at Tantallon Oval, on Epping Road and trains at either Tantallon or Blackman Park. The season typically begins in late March/early April and runs until late August/early September.
The club prides itself on its community feel and on providing opportunities for boys and girls of all abilities to be able to play the game at the standard they enjoy and are comfortable with.
For the U9s and below, the Minis, the game is about skill development and having fun. The Minis follow Rugby Australia’s Pathway development programme, with tackling not introduced until the U8s. The U8s and U9s play in a Gordon District competition against other Gordon Village clubs, plus Mosman, Norths and Hunters Hill although the emphasis remains on having fun and applying the skills that have been learnt.
Graded competition begins in the U10s and Lane Cove competes in the Sydney wide competition run by the Sydney Junior Rugby Union. Matches are mostly played on Sundays with the occasional game played on a Friday night. Lane Cove would typically field a strong side in either A or B grade with subsequent teams distributed through the gradings based on ability.
Players from Lane Cove who are of a sufficiently high standard are eligible for selection by the Gordon District and numerous Lane Cove players over the years have been selected to represent Gordon at the NSW State Championships which are held on the Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend in June every year. From here players are eligible for selection in SJRU representative squads.
Our U14 team tour New Zealand every year in what has become a highlight for many of the kids junior rugby careers. Parents are encouraged to attend the New Zealand Tour and the boys all participate in fund raising activities to support the tour. The club also operates smaller NSW regional Tours every year for selected mini and junior teams.
The club holds various social events throughout the year including Jersey Day, Trophy Day, Parents Social and the legendary Long Lunch (in support of the U14 tour). It is a great way to engage with other families in the neighbourhood.
The club has had a variety of jerseys over the years although the colours have remained closely affiliated with those of the senior club i.e. Royal Blue, Gold and White. In recent times the club has played in a predominately white Jersey with blue and gold bands around the chest and sleeves (circa early 2000’s); in 2009 that was changed to a synthetic jersey but of a similar design. In 2011 the club changed to blue and white hoops with gold trim.
The Executive Committee meets at the Longueville Sporting Club at 7:30pm on the second Tuesday of every month and all interested parents are very welcome.
If you are interested in playing for Lane Cove please contact the Registrar, [email protected].